Great Barrington Affordable Housing Trust awards $230,000 to Construct for 10 deeply affordable units

The Great Barrington Affordable Housing Trust Fund on June 24 unanimously approved $230,000 in developer funds to Construct, Inc. for a proposal to add 10 deeply affordable clustered apartments at 257–259 State Road.

Joey Lindstrom, executive director of Construct, Inc., and Jennifer Tabakin, president of J. Tab Consulting, presented the Jordan House concept to trustees, describing a 1.8‑acre site in an R‑1B zone and two unit types (duplexes and small studio cottages). The project team listed a total project cost just under $2 million and said the proposed units would include private bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry hookups; the target rent is $690 per month. “We would be grateful for whatever the Trust can provide,” Lindstrom said.

The Trust’s award of $230,000 is the most the board can allocate from its developer funds this cycle; Construct had originally requested $350,000. Trustees used the AHTF rubric to score the proposal across viability, capability, affordability, location, cost effectiveness and community need before moving the award. Trustee Fred Clark made the motion to award funds; Trustee Bill Cooke seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Trustees and the project team discussed permitting, zoning and timelines. The project team said cluster development is allowed as‑of‑right in the R‑1B district and that the proposal will proceed to Planning Board site plan review (the team suggested that review could be scheduled as early as August). Tabakin said no special permit is required for the cluster form being proposed. The team said it expects to begin construction in roughly 18–24 months, subject to permitting and funding outcomes.

Trustees pressed the team on affordability and outreach. Project representatives said sizing units small and targeting a very low rent would allow the development to serve households with incomes below 30% of area median income (AMI). Construct will offer occupancy first to its waiting list and expects five units to go to current residents of 314 State Road; the team also noted fair‑housing law prevents restricting occupancy to Great Barrington residents only.

On funding, the project’s sources listed in the record include a Community One Stop for Growth site‑readiness request, a subsequent construction round, future state funding (MA EOHLC), federal tax credits or vouchers, and philanthropic support. Trustees noted that certain state grants typically require a local match; the One Stop for Growth site‑readiness request on the project would imply a local contribution in the range discussed during the meeting (the project team confirmed the match expectation in the presentation materials). The full proposal and attachments in the record include a detailed predevelopment budget, site prep costs, construction hard and soft costs, and a 10‑year operating pro forma.

The Trust also approved the meeting minutes of May 19 and June 18 as amended to reflect a memorandum Peter Most provided about the Seasonal Communities Act and a possible town entitlement of up to $175,000 under that law. Chair Ananda Timpane closed the meeting at 7:55 p.m. The project team listed next steps in its materials: certified survey, wetlands and drainage review, stakeholder engagement, Planning Board site plan review, and refinement of funding applications and design documents.

Votes at a glance: Trustees approved the May 19 and June 18 minutes as amended (motion by Bill Cooke; second Fred Clark; Reed abstained; motion carried). Trustees approved awarding $230,000 to Construct, Inc. for the Jordan House proposal (motion by Fred Clark; second Bill Cooke; unanimous).